Guest Test of Magic Bands (Official Notice)

[Disneylover99]

We are also in the August MagicBands tester group (staying at CR 8/6-8/13). My husband spoke extensively with a CM on the phone who said that a max of 1000 people were offered the bands (per day). But only about 80% accept, so that on average we should expect about 800 people per day in across the entire resort. We have customized our bands, and received them in the mail, and added our FP+ attractions for our whole stay. We are excited

Kaley (and DH and DD8 )

Pop has over 2800 rooms and just about everyone staying at Pop during the testing time in August will be eligible for the test. That's a lot of testers!

 

[kdegour23]

It's hard to imagine that there will only be 1000 testers. There are just over 5,000 rooms at the 4 participating resorts - that would be a minimum of 10,000 if you only figure 2 per room and 5,000 guests if you even give them the possibility of only 1/2 occupancy. Wonder if it could possibly be that low? - I believe it was one of our DIS CMs who confirmed there were approx 1000 testers in the smaller test done earlier with only 1 or 2 small resorts.

Hmm... I really don't know! I am only going by what the CM told my husband. She made it seem like it was only offered to a select number of people staying in those resorts, not all guests at those resorts. But I honestly have no other info to go on other than what she told us. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out when we are there!

 

[doconeill]

Hmm... I really don't know! I am only going by what the CM told my husband. She made it seem like it was only offered to a select number of people staying in those resorts, not all guests at those resorts. But I honestly have no other info to go on other than what she told us. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out when we are there!

Given the wide range of answers we've gotten in general from CMs regarding the test, I'd just add it to the pile...

I think by the large number of DISers that appear to be participating (even only those who got the vaunted "email of participation" ), I'd expect the number partcipants to be much higher than 1000...

 

[WillAustin]

Given the wide range of answers we've gotten in general from CMs regarding the test, I'd just add it to the pile...

I think by the large number of DISers that appear to be participating (even only those who got the vaunted "email of participation" ), I'd expect the number partcipants to be much higher than 1000...

I don't think we've heard from anyone that is staying at the test resorts that has been unable to participate, have we?

Incidentally, the test invitation says this: "Based on your participation in this test, you will be asked for feedback on your planning and vacation experiences from Walt Disney World Research." It seems they do want feedback after all.

 

[patrickpiteo]

I don't think we've heard from anyone that is staying at the test resorts that has been unable to participate, have we?

The mother of all tests LOL

 

[2Tiggies]

It seems they do want feedback after all.

No doubt in the form of "Do you have a couple of minutes?" surveys ... the ones that take a half hour to complete

 

[Gruff320]

This is the popup that allows you to customize your MagicBands and pick FP+. There was a popup for a couple weeks before this, that said something about MyMagic is coming, link your tickets, etc... If you have the popup linked below, I'd go ahead and customize your MagicBands and pick FP+ if you have tickets.

Thank you for posting this screenshot! I'm still getting the generic popup but this lets me know what to look for hopefully down the road! Much appreciated

 

[disney777]

I never rec'd any kind of notification asking me if I wanted to be part of this. I just rec'd an email from a friend I'm traveling with saying "hey, check out MDE. The Magicband option appeared, and I picked my colors for the bands" When I went to look, it was there and I dug in. Chose my band color and started choosing FPs.

 

[Sue M]

I totally agree...I purchased my first AP vouchers in March and we can not link them to MDE until they are activated...I kind of think this is going to discourage new Annual Passes and possible renewals also.

I go twice a year for a total of between 20 - 24 days, so only viable option for me is an Ap. so I hope they address this. Guests with regular tickets added to their package can book, and those tickets aren't activated yet

I never rec'd any kind of notification asking me if I wanted to be part of this. I just rec'd an email from a friend I'm traveling with saying "hey, check out MDE. The Magicband option appeared, and I picked my colors for the bands" When I went to look, it was there and I dug in. Chose my band color and started choosing FPs.

Good thing you have such a nice friend

 

[andrewilley]

Incidentally, the test invitation says this: "Based on your participation in this test, you will be asked for feedback on your planning and vacation experiences from Walt Disney World Research." It seems they do want feedback after all.

Of course that doesn't mean to say that they'll do anything about any the more inconvenient responses. This thing is a juggernaut that ain't stopping for anyone, best we can hope for is minor tweaks I think.

Hope it's not like the DRC one, which adds something like "what words best describes you experience today: magical, wonderful, brilliant or exciting". No "slow, inconvenient, mis-informed" options then? (Although to be fair, they haven't been too bad lately)

Andre

 

[MattRyan]

While I don't know the number of testers, it will have be over 1,000, even if only 80% of people expected them.

Although, I don't expect the rooms to be near maximum capacity. When I stayed at Pop Century this time last year, there were TONS of empty rooms. Although, it could be that the resort is more crowded than usual if people are opting to stay here to be a part of the test.

 

[WillAustin]

I totally agree...I purchased my first AP vouchers in March and we can not link them to MDE until they are activated...I kind of think this is going to discourage new Annual Passes and possible renewals also.

I saw another post that says you can use the MDE phone app to scan the barcode on your AP vouchers to link them. It might be worth trying that.

 

[meggiebeth]

Will they still be testing in November? We'd love to try it out. Also is this test only for US residents? I can't imagine they'd pay a fortune to ship Magic Bands to the UK where I live.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Missyrose]

Will they still be testing in November? We'd love to try it out. Also is this test only for US residents? I can't imagine they'd pay a fortune to ship Magic Bands to the UK where I live.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

There is no information beyond the August tests. They could continue testing into September, roll the whole thing out to everyone or take the August info and disappear into their little development hole for months on end (like they did when they went silent about the system for months earlier this year).

 

[preemiemama]

I saw another post that says you can use the MDE phone app to scan the barcode on your AP vouchers to link them. It might be worth trying that.

I would check with someone first- I did a couple of chats on the MDE site prior to my trip. I was told I could add them, but that they would be tied to the reservation and I may lose the balance of them (or have a big hassle getting the rest of the year to show up). It looks like they are further along in the process now, but I'd still ask to be sure...

One other thing to have in mind- several of us have been able to "double dip" on the regular FP system with our room keys and passes that were not connected. There is a thread about it here. So not linking your APs to your account might not be all that bad for this trip...

I was told by the CMs I chatted with that it was something that was coming, and not having tickets linked would not affect my ability to be chosen for the testing.

 

[susanktz]

You have to be at one of the four test resorts. That's the contemporary, animal kingdom lodge, pop, or yacht club.

Ahhhhh! That counts us out. We're at AoA.

 

[Jimmysmom0703]

Hi staying at POP Aug 26-Sept 1st.. Went on MDE and had the bands. I customized them (wish they had purple) but when I plan my day, I thought it was for the parades & fireworks shows on top of the rides. I dont see any does that mean they are out of them? Thanks! Actually now that I think about it, I might have to wait 17 days before my trip to add the parades & stuff. I was trying to plan the meet & greet and they all ended before I was there. I am confused??!!

 

[meggiebeth]

There is no information beyond the August tests. They could continue testing into September, roll the whole thing out to everyone or take the August info and disappear into their little development hole for months on end (like they did when they went silent about the system for months earlier this year).

Well that sucks. I wish they'd give more notice. I'd like to be excited about it!

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[PrincessAli]

I spoke with a Rep when I first received the invitation. We have AP's, are staying at the POP, our AP's are registered on the Magic Bands and are all set for our trip next month. I was told to bring my AP's with me ---they don't expire until next year and I will absolutely not have any problems---BUT to bring them along anyway for the discounts that are available to AP holders.

 

[glammadiva]

I'm an August tester and an AP holder. In fact, the invite I received reminded me to bring my AP with me to take advantage of my AP discounts. I linked my AP without any issues at all. I called IT and was told participating in this test would not impact my pass at all. I just returned from a quick weekend trip and can report my AP worked just fine for this trip. IT told me my pass is linked for the August test only.